1up and GameSpy Shutting Down, IGN Hit with Layoffs - News

Ziff-Davis purchased IGN recently, which also includes 1up, GameSpy and UGO. Ziff-Davis CEO Vivek Shah in a statement received by Polygon has said that several staff members have been laid off at IGN. Also 1up, GameSpy and UGO will be shut down.

"Today, we took some difficult but important actions that will ensure the continued growth and health of IGN and AskMen," said Ziff Davis CEO Vivek Shah. "Before I go into more details about the changes, you should know that they resulted in the elimination of jobs at IGN. It's always upsetting to say goodbye to colleagues and let's do what we can to help these employees as they seek new opportunities."

"The changes we made today are designed to allow us to Simplify and Focus," added Shah. "Our goal is to do fewer things and to do them exceptionally well. In that vein, we want to direct all of our energy and work behind our two flagship brands: IGN and AskMen."

Cannibalizing your site by making multiple others is just a bad idea in the first place. I agree with the choice to focus on IGN, and hopefully in time those job positions will return in greater numbers.